The UFC returns to the Apex in Las Vegas for its next card on May 18.
Dana White has expressed a desire to completely eliminate events at the venue in favor of heading out for more shows like the May 11 date in St. Louis, but the promotion hasn’t reached the point where the Apex isn’t still necessary.
As it is, Edson Barboza, 38, will make the 30th Octagon walk of his career. The Brazilian will face undefeated Manchester native Lerone Murphy, 32, in the latest example of a grizzled veteran looking to turn back an up-and-comer.
Murphy is 5-0 in the UFC since debuting during the pandemic in July 2020. The fight with Barboza represents a significant step up in competition and Murphy’s first opportunity to fight in the main event of a UFC show.
Here is a look at the entire card with viewing information.
- Date: May 18, 2024
- Location: UFC APEX in Las Vegas
- Broadcast: ESPN+
- Start Time: Prelims begin at 4 p.m. ET – The main card starts 7 p.m. ET
Main Card
- Featherweight: Edson Barboza vs. Lerone Murphy
- Welterweight: Khaos Williams vs. Carlston Harris
- Light Heavyweight: Oumar Sy vs. Antonio Trocoli
- Men’s Bantamweight: Adrian Yanez vs. Vinicius Salvador
- Women’s Strawweight: Angela Hill vs. Luana Pinheiro
Prelims
- Welterweight: Themba Gorimbo vs. Ramiz Brahimaj
- Middleweight: Abus Magomedov vs. Warlley Alves
- Lightweight: Victor Martinez vs. Tom Nolan
- Women’s Bantamweight: Melissa Gatto vs. Tamires Vidal
- Women’s Strawweight: Piera Rodriguez vs. Ariane Carnelossi
- Women’s Strawweight: Vanessa Demopoulos vs. Emily Ducote
Barboza has had an up-and-down past seven years. From 2017-2020, he lost five of six fights. He has rebounded but still experienced some inconsistency, having won two straight shortly after enduring a two-fight losing streak.
The last time out, Barboza won a war against Sodiq Yusuff in October 2023. Barboza comes into the fight with Murphy ranked No. 12. Murphy is No. 14, hoping to make the climb with a victory.
In his last fight, Murphy won unanimously over Josh Culibao in July 2023. If he can defeat an aging Barboza, he’ll pass his newest litmus test and position himself for a fight with a Top-10 opponent.
Aside from the main event, only one other fight with ranked opponents is scheduled for Saturday’s show. Veteran Angela Hill, ranked No. 12 at 115 pounds, will attempt to turn back Brazil’s Luana Pinheiro, who ranks No. 9.
At 39, Hill is in a situation similar to Barboza.
She has a professional record of 16-13 and is coming off a unanimous decision win over Denise Gomes in November 2023. This fight is crucial for Hill’s career. A loss probably wouldn’t push Hill out of the Top 15, but it would impede her momentum, making this match a high-stakes one.
Hill has won three of his last four fights, and another victory would push her back into the Top 10. Despite her longevity, Hill has never fought for a UFC title, despite making her promotional debut on The Ultimate Fighter Season 20 in 2014.
Hill has been one of the promotion’s most consistent and dependable fighters over the past decade.
Pinheiro looked like a potential title challenger before she was defeated by KO by Amanda Ribas in November 2023. Pinheiro may still reach the 115-pound title picture but must rebound to return her arrow upward.
If she cannot pass the Angela-Hill test, it will prove she may have hit her ceiling in the 115-pound division. I’ll cover the top performers from the event on Saturday.
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